# Therapeutic Catalyst – Early Therapy Award

**Funder:** Cancer Research UK
**Budget:** Up to £350k
**Deadline:** 25 September 2026
**Duration:** 18–24 months
**Consortium:** No
**Application:** 2-stage: expression of interest → full proposal
**Frequency:** Annual
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/for-researchers/apply-for-and-manage-your-funding/our-funding-schemes/therapeutic-catalyst
**Last verified:** 12 July 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Open to academic researchers worldwide with an independent lab. Focused on hit identification, druggability assessment (e.g. fragment screening), or early therapeutic project development using antibody-based or small molecule approaches for adult cancers. Projects run collaboratively with Cancer Research Horizons. US institutions may claim up to 10% indirect costs.

## Summary

Therapeutic Catalyst, Early Therapy Award funds academic researchers worldwide to advance hit identification, druggability assessment, and early therapeutic development for adult cancers using antibody and small molecule approaches. Grants of up to £350,000 cover 18-24 months and are delivered in collaboration with Cancer Research Horizons, the commercialisation arm of Cancer Research UK. The call targets researchers with independent labs seeking to bridge basic discovery and translational development.

## Who should apply

- Academic researchers with an independent laboratory
- Investigators focused on hit identification, druggability assessment, or early therapeutic development
- Projects targeting adult cancers using antibody or small molecule chemistry
- Teams willing to embed commercialisation-focused collaboration with Cancer Research Horizons

## Key dates

- Expression of interest deadline: 25 September 2026
- Two-stage process: shortlisted candidates invited to submit full proposal
- Project duration: 18-24 months

## Tips for applicants

- Cancer Research Horizons collaboration is embedded in the award structure, frame your project with clear translation and IP milestones that signal commercial viability.
- Hit identification and druggability assessment are core themes; proposals anchored to target validation and feasibility demonstration score higher than exploratory basic research.
- If US-based, note that indirect cost recovery caps at 10%; budget your full institutional overhead separately or find co-funding.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the budget for the Therapeutic Catalyst, Early Therapy Award?

Up to £350,000 per project covering 18-24 months of work.

### Who is eligible for Therapeutic Catalyst?

Academic researchers worldwide who hold an independent laboratory and are pursuing hit identification, druggability assessment, or early therapeutic development in adult cancer.

### What does Cancer Research Horizons do in this award?

Cancer Research Horizons, the commercialisation arm of Cancer Research UK, works collaboratively with award holders to support translation toward therapeutic development and IP management.

### Is Therapeutic Catalyst a two-stage application?

Yes, applicants first submit an expression of interest; successful applicants are then invited to submit a full proposal.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/cancer-research-uk-therapeutic-catalyst-early-therapy-award-2026-09) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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